Photography: Making Pictures Work for You
By Julie Peters
A few months ago Cindy Martin put out a request for someone to write a
series of photographic article for TG Forum. Much to her surprise (and delight?),
she got two volunteers, Tamara Temple and myself. After some discussion, it was
decided that using two people would be easier on each of us. An
additional factor was that one of us is a TS and the other a CD. We
thought each of us could bring a different and unique insight into the
how and why we take pictures. So, Tamara and I will be writing alternating
photographic articles for TG Forum.
Attitude Is The Key
Like most of what we do, attitude is important. How many times has it been said, "if you feel good about
yourself you will look good." It's as simple as that, the more natural and happy you are the better you will look in a picture. There are some things that you can do, when you take the picture and how you pose or present
yourself in the picture, that can make the difference between a poor picture and a great picture. Most of the things are simple. I will use a photo to quickly illustrate some of these things.
OK, so it's an exaggeration, but look at the two pictures? The curlers in the hair, lack of makeup, and the clothing seriously detract from the picture of the individual. This has been talked about here on TG Forum and I won't go into them again. I will comment on the pose and other photographic aspects of the picture. Look at the after picture. Big difference in clothes and makeup! There is also a big difference in the pose, the way the shoulders and torso are positioned, and how the legs are turned. But notice one of the most important things in the picture, the smile!
The person looks happy with herself. One of the questions that came up early in this collaboration was what's the
difference between a TS and a CD when it comes to taking pictures. I made the somewhat "flip" comment that CD's are more theatrical. In case you haven't already figured it out, I am the CD half for these articles! I
can only speak for myself on why I take pictures. I do it to see how I look, and to see how various makeup and clothing combinations look on me.
I take pictures of friends at conventions. I do it to document and record events that I go to. I also do it just for the fun of it, to try different things and looks. Some of the pictures I take are for pure fun and fantasy. I have used pictures that I have taken to create my TG Forum pictorial, to enter theme pictorials, and to show activities at
conventions. Why I take the pictures I do goes back to basically why I crossdress, I consider myself a recreational type of CD. While this has been changing somewhat as I get older, I still consider it a hobby and a stress reliever. Taking pictures is the second most frequent thing a CD usually does (next to CDing itself!).
Get A Camera That's Fast and Easy
Visit any of the many websites on the Internet that CDs and TSs provide. Without reading the text, do you have any trouble quickly figuring out who is a CD or a TS? Appearance aside, its easy, just count the number of pictures they have! I always carry a camera, if at all possible. A camera that is easy to use. My camera is small in size, has a fixed focus lens, and a self-contained flash. It is a Stylist Epic camera (there are many other similar cameras available.) It fits easily into a pocket or purse. I can quickly load and remove the film, and it is a "point and shoot" camera. It works for me because I have it with me most of the time, and it removes most of the mechanics of taking a picture. I am free to spend more time thinking about what I am photographing rather than how to take the picture. It is the type of camera you can hand someone and ask them to take your picture.
It doesn't seem like all that much, but it does make a difference in many of the pictures I take, or have others take. I have my "big" pro model camera's which I use for a somewhat different purpose. I have a Nikon with a zoom lens and all the "bells and whistles" for my "serious" types of photography. And an old Konica, with a radio remote control shutter release, that I use for my self-portrait photography.
As we move along in this series we will be presenting the basics, practical advice, and work on self-image. Ways to explore and reveal your inner self, and capture who you really are on film.
What's Coming in Future Stories
Self-portrait: A means of seeing what you look like more objectively. A fun way to introduce others to your femme self. An expression of yourself, and a way to reveal your inner self. Preparing space for pictures: Finding a space where you have control. Removing clutter and unnecessary elements. The background and finding props that can enhance your image. How to setup a formal/informal studio area.
Setting the mood: Temperature, lighting, music, attitude, and visualization. Presentation: Planning what to wear, having a theme, undergarments, make-up, dressing, and final touches. Wearing the outfit, expressions and gestures, movement and flow. Use of costumes and props for fantasy pictures. Paying attention to details.
Recording the image: Checking the camera settings. Breathe, visualize entire process and resulting image. Strike the pose. Doing it again with variations. Where you will take pictures: Informal - living room, den, etc. Formal - a controlled or studio type setup. At conventions, meetings, and public places.
Posing: Positioning your body to look graceful. Tricks to make your figure look smaller or larger. What
to do with your hands, how to position your legs. How to get the best
results and some common mistakes we all make.
Technical stuff: Making a
posing target to show your position. Backgrounds. Remote controls and
timers. Lighting and flash equipment. Where to get your pictures
developed and printed. Electronic scanning and programs to enhance your
pictures for the Internet and TG Forum.
While I have spent most of this column on introduction, outlining future articles, and just plain rambling. I would like to invite you to comment and suggest any topic that might be of interest you. Perhaps a future article can be a Q and A type where specific problems are addressed. I can be reached by e-mail at jmpeters@iname.com
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